k and ways as to make the best
possible use of the powers of every member. It is no economy to buy cheap
things unless the members of the family can be better occupied than in
making them. It is poor economy to make those things which cost more time
and effort than would be used in making something else for exchange. Home
production is best when this makes the home labor more effectual, but
worst when it interferes with the profit of labor. The farmer who stops
harvesting to mend his harness when he might employ the harness-maker is
wasteful; but if he mends it on a rainy day he saves time which would
otherwise be less profitably used. So the nation whose capital and labor
are not well employed may do wisely in developing new industries, even at
a considerable expense for introducing the new industries. But if all the
nation's energies are profitably employed, the costly development of
resources may wisely wait for future capital and labor. So all special
incentives require a constant inquiry as to beneficial results supposed to
follow, and the policy of the government must conform to the needs of
general welfare. Even vested rights are subject to the law of welfare
involved in the original act establishing special privileges. Public use,
not private interest, is the true reason for the existence of any such
privileges or protection.

Chapter XVI. Business Security.

_Conservative influences._--We have already seen the influence of
governmental organization upon various phases of production; but the chief
fostering influence is the general stability of a community, not only in
its laws, but in its customs and habits of life. Security in property
rights is a chief condition for accumulation of wealth, and a still more
necessary condition for industry. Not even want will drive people to
industry when there is no certainty of possession when the work is
accomplished. The fruits of industry must be safe. While the laws of the
country are naturally considered the guardians of rights, the customs and
habits of the people, the actual origin of laws, are even more important.
Bad habits actually nullify good laws, while bad laws may be made quite
endurable by good customs. Thus, the welfare of every community depends
upon a conservative social influence, preventing abuse of opportunity for
injury and stimulating individual energy.

The rights of life, liberty and property must first be dear to the mass of
the people be